DOI issue:
No. 347 (February 1922)
DOI article:Bennett, T. P.: American architecture: The recent exhibition in London
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21395#0089
AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE
RIGGS BANK AND AMERICAN
SECURITY AND TRUST CO.
BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D.C.
YORK AND SAWYER, ARCHITECTS
As to the buildings themselves they give
occasion for much reflection. Great
architecture has in all periods seized upon
the requirements of its clients, and by
natural expression has transformed them
into works of art. It has always frankly
accepted the limitations of site, material,
cost or construction, and used them as a
means to an end. It is possible to say of a
Greek temple, a Gothic cathedral, or any
other really great design that it is a beauti-
ful building, eminently suited to its pur-
pose. An examination of the American
exhibition seemed to indicate that in
modern building the Americans have gone
a long way towards the accomplishment
of this difficult feat. 0 0 0
Perhaps too few people, even amongst
the well-informed, realise that the “ sky-
scraper ” is not built at the desire of the
architect or for his personal advertisement.
It is a hard and difficult problem forced
upon him by the increase of land values,
exigencies of site, commerce, and other
matters over which, perhaps, neither he
nor anyone else has much control. We
must acknowledge the fact that in New
72
RIGGS BANK AND AMERICAN
SECURITY AND TRUST CO.
BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D.C.
YORK AND SAWYER, ARCHITECTS
As to the buildings themselves they give
occasion for much reflection. Great
architecture has in all periods seized upon
the requirements of its clients, and by
natural expression has transformed them
into works of art. It has always frankly
accepted the limitations of site, material,
cost or construction, and used them as a
means to an end. It is possible to say of a
Greek temple, a Gothic cathedral, or any
other really great design that it is a beauti-
ful building, eminently suited to its pur-
pose. An examination of the American
exhibition seemed to indicate that in
modern building the Americans have gone
a long way towards the accomplishment
of this difficult feat. 0 0 0
Perhaps too few people, even amongst
the well-informed, realise that the “ sky-
scraper ” is not built at the desire of the
architect or for his personal advertisement.
It is a hard and difficult problem forced
upon him by the increase of land values,
exigencies of site, commerce, and other
matters over which, perhaps, neither he
nor anyone else has much control. We
must acknowledge the fact that in New
72